You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5
When this quarantine started there was an expectation that it would be temporary. (Because pandemic history could not repeat itself in the 21st century?) This temporary seems longer than expected, yet the Spanish flu went on for over 2 years. As the months progress, my frustrations are building, largely due to unmet or unrealistic expectations. My kids still want to go on vacation. They want to go to events with their friends. I want my kids to go to school full time this fall. All realistic expectations that have been going unmet.
Unmet.
How can I realize my unmet expectations? Or rather how do I find resolve in my present circumstances. Lately, I have been trying to take all my unmet expectations to God. Taking my cares, concerns and frustrations to Him. He meets me every time and fulfills my expectations or makes me satisfied in the present.
Filled.
There is a story in the Bible of a woman who was recently widowed. She was left with debt and her two sons were set to become slaves to her creditor. At the end of her rope, she pleaded with God’s prophet to show her what to do. She had two ways to handle the situation, sell her boys as slaves or go to God. God met her desperate and unmet expectations. The prophet told her to take the little jar of oil (all she had left of value in her home) and gather all the empty jugs she could find, even borrowing empty ones from her neighbors. After collecting all she could find, she began to pour the oil into the vessels, until all were full. Having no more vessels to fill, the oil stopped. This is considered a miracle. The oil in the story represents God’s blessings over her life. In her ‘empty’ circumstances, the oil kept flowing until she had enough to sell, pay her debts and live on the rest. (2 Kings 4)
Realistically, I have two paths to take with my expectations. Engage my own resources or engage God’s resources. Knowing His ways are higher than my ways, I know the path I SHOULD take. I see the path the widow took in her desperation. The fact remains, I often try to resolve my expectations in my own way, leaving me feeling more defeated or anxious. My expectations can only be met by God. His oil keeps flowing.
Satisfied.
God will meet me where and when my expectations are unmet. He engages me in such a way that a table is prepared for me. A place not only where I can meet with Him, but the place where my soul and my cup of expectations can be filled. He brings me to quiet waters where He can restore my soul (Psalm 23).
EXPECTATIONS
Unmet. Filled. Satisfied.
What unmet expectations do I need to take to God?